HelenaPSchrader
@helenapschrader.bsky.social
Historian, biographer and award-winning novelist. Areas of expertise: aviation history, the German Resistance to Hitler, the crusader states and Ancient Sparta.
Notice to America: A global crossroads can become a "forgotten backwater." A flourishing hub of culture and technology can turn into a ruin.It's happened before. The major cause: internal rot. Read a lesson from history at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #CrusaderStates #HistoryLessons
Defending the Crusader Kingdoms
This blog is dedicated to discussing the Crusader Kingdoms of Jerusalem and Cyprus. Dr. Schrader holds a PhD in History from the University of Hamburg.
For more information visit: http://defenderofjer...
defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Notice to America: A global crossroads can become a "forgotten backwater." A flourishing hub of culture and technology can turn into a ruin.It's happened before. The major cause: internal rot. Read a lesson from history at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #CrusaderStates #HistoryLessons
In 1934, the Reichswehr thought it would be the lesser evil to ally itself with Himmler in order to eliminate the #SA. Looking at what happened is enlightening. #ICE #Fascism Join me at: hpschrader.substack.com/p/night-of-t...
January 15, 2026 at 12:31 PM
In 1934, the Reichswehr thought it would be the lesser evil to ally itself with Himmler in order to eliminate the #SA. Looking at what happened is enlightening. #ICE #Fascism Join me at: hpschrader.substack.com/p/night-of-t...
#Resistance to #tyranny isn't only about results, it is also about defining who we are. This excerpt from award-winning "Cold Peace" looks at resistance in an age when America opposed -- rather than engaged -- in aggression and tyranny. #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift
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www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
Resistance to Tyranny isn't all about Results - Cold Peace - Helena P Schrader - Literature & Fiction - Bublish Book Bubble
Tyrants, thugs and bullies -- the kind of people who murder in cold blood and broad daylight protected by a uniform and a license plate -- rule...
www.bublish.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:17 PM
#Resistance to #tyranny isn't only about results, it is also about defining who we are. This excerpt from award-winning "Cold Peace" looks at resistance in an age when America opposed -- rather than engaged -- in aggression and tyranny. #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
We often credit the success of the Berlin Airlift to the tonnage of coal and flour delivered. But the real turning point wasn't logistical—it was psychological. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-...
#ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #History #InternationalRelations
#ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #History #InternationalRelations
The Defection that Saved the Berlin Airlift
europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:46 AM
We often credit the success of the Berlin Airlift to the tonnage of coal and flour delivered. But the real turning point wasn't logistical—it was psychological. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-...
#ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #History #InternationalRelations
#ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #History #InternationalRelations
Feeling like you can't face any more commentary on the state of the world? Escape into history! A short description of how the two most feared military machines on Earth collided at the Sea of Galilee in 1260. Read more at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #Mamluks #Mongols #Crusaders
January 10, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Feeling like you can't face any more commentary on the state of the world? Escape into history! A short description of how the two most feared military machines on Earth collided at the Sea of Galilee in 1260. Read more at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #Mamluks #Mongols #Crusaders
Psychology shows that happiness doesn't come from what you possess, but from a state of mind. Today, I explore why Ancient Spartans were happier than most modern Americans. #Sparta #Wealth #Happiness Read more at:
hpschrader.substack.com/p/spartan-ha...
hpschrader.substack.com/p/spartan-ha...
Money Can't Buy You Happiness
Nigerians vs. Norwegians, Athenians vs. Spartans. History shows that happiness isn't about what you possess, but your state of mind. I’m diving into the "Shadow Side of the American Dream" through the...
hpschrader.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Psychology shows that happiness doesn't come from what you possess, but from a state of mind. Today, I explore why Ancient Spartans were happier than most modern Americans. #Sparta #Wealth #Happiness Read more at:
hpschrader.substack.com/p/spartan-ha...
hpschrader.substack.com/p/spartan-ha...
Americans are about to learn the hard way what it is like to live in an authoritarian state. "They lie whenever it is convenient. They think nothing of it. If you help them, so much the better, but they will not reward you for it. They will always want more."
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea... #HistFic
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea... #HistFic
A Question of Trust - Cold War - Helena P Schrader - Literature & Fiction - Bublish Book Bubble
Fighting evil is dangerous. It is also a lonely business because it is hard to know who to trust. Almost anyone could be a partisan or merely a paid...
www.bublish.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Americans are about to learn the hard way what it is like to live in an authoritarian state. "They lie whenever it is convenient. They think nothing of it. If you help them, so much the better, but they will not reward you for it. They will always want more."
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea... #HistFic
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea... #HistFic
In 1942, the most effective tool for curing pilot nerves wasn't a manual or a lecture—it was a woman in a flight suit. Find out morea bout how the women pilots of the #ATA were used as "psychological reinforcements" to the #RAF in #WWII at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
In 1942, the most effective tool for curing pilot nerves wasn't a manual or a lecture—it was a woman in a flight suit. Find out morea bout how the women pilots of the #ATA were used as "psychological reinforcements" to the #RAF in #WWII at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
January 6, 2026 at 10:57 AM
In 1942, the most effective tool for curing pilot nerves wasn't a manual or a lecture—it was a woman in a flight suit. Find out morea bout how the women pilots of the #ATA were used as "psychological reinforcements" to the #RAF in #WWII at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
In 1942, the most effective tool for curing pilot nerves wasn't a manual or a lecture—it was a woman in a flight suit. Find out morea bout how the women pilots of the #ATA were used as "psychological reinforcements" to the #RAF in #WWII at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
The "Big Five" aren't looking for masterpieces—they’re looking for formulas. After 20 years in the industry, I'm sharing why the most original fiction is coming from independent voices. Read more at hpschrader.substack.com/p/why-creati...
The Beauty of Self Publishing
The "Big Five" aren't looking for masterpieces—they’re looking for formulas. After 20 years in the industry, I'm sharing why the most original fiction is coming from independent voices.
hpschrader.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:56 PM
The "Big Five" aren't looking for masterpieces—they’re looking for formulas. After 20 years in the industry, I'm sharing why the most original fiction is coming from independent voices. Read more at hpschrader.substack.com/p/why-creati...
The Templars and the Saint: the 7th crusade was characterised by technological leaps in shipbuilding, a disastrous charge into a trap, a ransom demand settled with an axe -- and a king who would be saint. Read more at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #KnightsTemplar #Crusades
January 3, 2026 at 8:32 AM
The Templars and the Saint: the 7th crusade was characterised by technological leaps in shipbuilding, a disastrous charge into a trap, a ransom demand settled with an axe -- and a king who would be saint. Read more at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #KnightsTemplar #Crusades
Meet Barnes Wallis, the engineer behind the Bouncing Bomb and the Wellington Bomber, and learn how his persistence helped win the war -- and the peace. He reminds us there's no single skill set necessary to fight fascism. All you need is creativity and courage.
open.substack.com/pub/hpschrad...
open.substack.com/pub/hpschrad...
Everyone has a Role in an Existential Crisis
Meet Barnes Wallis: the 52-year-old engineer who proved you're never too old to save a nation.
open.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Meet Barnes Wallis, the engineer behind the Bouncing Bomb and the Wellington Bomber, and learn how his persistence helped win the war -- and the peace. He reminds us there's no single skill set necessary to fight fascism. All you need is creativity and courage.
open.substack.com/pub/hpschrad...
open.substack.com/pub/hpschrad...
"Did you tell them I was a whore?"
"No," Georgina answered steadily, "I told them you were being forced to have sex with strange men by a mother who needs the income." An excerpt from my latest novel, "Cold Victory." Read more at:
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#HistoricalFiction #Novels
"No," Georgina answered steadily, "I told them you were being forced to have sex with strange men by a mother who needs the income." An excerpt from my latest novel, "Cold Victory." Read more at:
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#HistoricalFiction #Novels
New Year - New Hope - Cold Victory - Helena P Schrader - Mystery, Thriller & Suspense - Bublish Book Bubble
The New Year is traditionally a time of optimism. Regardless of what the previous year has brought, we humans like to think that things can get better...
www.bublish.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
"Did you tell them I was a whore?"
"No," Georgina answered steadily, "I told them you were being forced to have sex with strange men by a mother who needs the income." An excerpt from my latest novel, "Cold Victory." Read more at:
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
#HistoricalFiction #Novels
"No," Georgina answered steadily, "I told them you were being forced to have sex with strange men by a mother who needs the income." An excerpt from my latest novel, "Cold Victory." Read more at:
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
#HistoricalFiction #Novels
Few important victories were easy, obvious and inevitable. Many of our greatest triumphs stood on the brink of failure first. An excellent example is the #BerlinAirlift that nearly collapsed in December 1948. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2024/07/gene...
#AviationHistory
#AviationHistory
On the Brink of Disaster: The Berlin Airlift Nearly Fails
europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Few important victories were easy, obvious and inevitable. Many of our greatest triumphs stood on the brink of failure first. An excellent example is the #BerlinAirlift that nearly collapsed in December 1948. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2024/07/gene...
#AviationHistory
#AviationHistory
The #ATA is remembered as an organisation that ferried aircraft, but it also carried freight. This particular activity started rather late in #WWII, but became increasingly important after the Normandy invasion. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2025/12/ata-...
#AviationHistory
#AviationHistory
ATA DUTIES: FREIGHT
europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The #ATA is remembered as an organisation that ferried aircraft, but it also carried freight. This particular activity started rather late in #WWII, but became increasingly important after the Normandy invasion. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2025/12/ata-...
#AviationHistory
#AviationHistory
Fleeing from the dismal contemporary news, I turn my attention to an organisation of boundless compassion. The #KnightsHospitaller were the "servants of the poor" and helped to spread the concept of free medical care for all. Find out more at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com/2018/08/knig...
Knights Hospitaller - The Oldest Military Order
Of the many "militant orders," the Knights Hospitaller , were the oldest and the most enduring. Today I pay a tribute to them with a shor...
defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Fleeing from the dismal contemporary news, I turn my attention to an organisation of boundless compassion. The #KnightsHospitaller were the "servants of the poor" and helped to spread the concept of free medical care for all. Find out more at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com/2018/08/knig...
Fiction is a powerful tool for giving victims a voice. Find out more at: hpschrader.substack.com/p/giving-vic...
#SexualViolence #EpsteinClass #Fiction #Resistance #WomensVoices
#SexualViolence #EpsteinClass #Fiction #Resistance #WomensVoices
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Fiction is a powerful tool for giving victims a voice. Find out more at: hpschrader.substack.com/p/giving-vic...
#SexualViolence #EpsteinClass #Fiction #Resistance #WomensVoices
#SexualViolence #EpsteinClass #Fiction #Resistance #WomensVoices
Christmas in Berlin 1948 -- a moment in which the Spirit of Christmas proved powerful. Read an excerpt from "Cold Victory" -- and don't forget: books make great Christmas presents! www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
#HistoricalFiction #ChristmasGiftIdeas #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift
#HistoricalFiction #ChristmasGiftIdeas #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift
The Spirit and Power of Christmas - Cold Victory - Helena P Schrader - Mystery, Thriller & Suspense - Bublish Book Bubble
At this time of year there is a lot of talk about "the spirit of Christmas." Charities expect extra donations. Family hostilities are put on "hold."...
www.bublish.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Christmas in Berlin 1948 -- a moment in which the Spirit of Christmas proved powerful. Read an excerpt from "Cold Victory" -- and don't forget: books make great Christmas presents! www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
#HistoricalFiction #ChristmasGiftIdeas #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift
#HistoricalFiction #ChristmasGiftIdeas #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift
Although the C-54s dominated the skies during the Berlin Airlift, the Short Sunderland was winning hearts on the water. Find out why at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2024/10/humb...
#AviationHistory #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #flyingboats
#AviationHistory #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #flyingboats
Aircraft of the Berlin Airlift: The Sunderland Flying Boat
europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Although the C-54s dominated the skies during the Berlin Airlift, the Short Sunderland was winning hearts on the water. Find out why at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com/2024/10/humb...
#AviationHistory #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #flyingboats
#AviationHistory #ColdWar #BerlinAirlift #flyingboats
There are many kinds of courage: the courage of our convictions, the courage to take risks, the courage to innovate, political courage, intellectual courage, and, above all, moral courage. Today, I focus on the courage to love.https://hpschrader.substack.com/p/the-many-faces-of-courage
#HistFic
#HistFic
December 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM
There are many kinds of courage: the courage of our convictions, the courage to take risks, the courage to innovate, political courage, intellectual courage, and, above all, moral courage. Today, I focus on the courage to love.https://hpschrader.substack.com/p/the-many-faces-of-courage
#HistFic
#HistFic
King Louis IX's Crusade of 1249-1252 was the best-financed and best-organised ever, yet it failed miserably on the battlefield. Remarkably, King Louis' diplomacy and tenacity in defeat salvaged the future of the Latin East. Read the full story at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #crusades
December 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
King Louis IX's Crusade of 1249-1252 was the best-financed and best-organised ever, yet it failed miserably on the battlefield. Remarkably, King Louis' diplomacy and tenacity in defeat salvaged the future of the Latin East. Read the full story at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com #crusades
Today, an excerpt from "Cold Victory: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift." It's 23 December 1948, and Christmas is looking rather bleak to the widow Kathleen Hart, serving at RAF Gatow -- until Santa Claus turns up at her door. Read excerpt here:
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Santa Claus isn't just for Children - Cold Victory - Helena P Schrader - Mystery, Thriller & Suspense - Bublish Book Bubble
In December 1948, the people in the Western Sectors of Berlin faced a grim Christmas. The Russians were blockading them by land and water. Everything...
www.bublish.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Today, an excerpt from "Cold Victory: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift." It's 23 December 1948, and Christmas is looking rather bleak to the widow Kathleen Hart, serving at RAF Gatow -- until Santa Claus turns up at her door. Read excerpt here:
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
www.bublish.com/bubble/strea...
Two Navy pilots aborted the flight, saying "something was wrong" with the Grumman Avenger. It took one of the ATA's women pilots to find the problem that had "mystified the male sex. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
#AviationHistory #WWIIAviation #WomenPilots
#AviationHistory #WWIIAviation #WomenPilots
European Aviation History
europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Two Navy pilots aborted the flight, saying "something was wrong" with the Grumman Avenger. It took one of the ATA's women pilots to find the problem that had "mystified the male sex. Find out more at: europeanaviationhistory.blogspot.com
#AviationHistory #WWIIAviation #WomenPilots
#AviationHistory #WWIIAviation #WomenPilots
Middle Eastern politics can be very complicated and confusing. Even in the era of the crusades, self-interest and rivalries could result in strange bedfellows. Find out more about a Christian-Muslim alliance -- with devastating consequences at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com
#crusades
#crusades
December 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Middle Eastern politics can be very complicated and confusing. Even in the era of the crusades, self-interest and rivalries could result in strange bedfellows. Find out more about a Christian-Muslim alliance -- with devastating consequences at: defendingcrusaderkingdoms.blogspot.com
#crusades
#crusades
Today I offer a concrete example of the power of diversity. Join me at hpschrader.substack.com/p/we-band-of... for my essay "We Band of Brothers."
#Diversity, #WWII, #RAF, #Aviation
#Diversity, #WWII, #RAF, #Aviation
We Band of Brothers
The Power of Diversity
hpschrader.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Today I offer a concrete example of the power of diversity. Join me at hpschrader.substack.com/p/we-band-of... for my essay "We Band of Brothers."
#Diversity, #WWII, #RAF, #Aviation
#Diversity, #WWII, #RAF, #Aviation